Now that photo, a quick snap she’d taken because she didn’t want to forget that day with Trent, was going to be immortalized on the cover of the book, right above her name. The gesture touched her heart and made tears rush to her eyes.
“It’s a small thing to try to begin to make up for the big things, KitKat. When we were young, I broke up with you because you were scared to do the things I wanted to do. But I was the one who was truly scared of how hard I fell for you, and how much you meant to me so quickly. I was too dumb and stupid to know what to do with a love like that, so I let you go.”
She understood that, because she’d been afraid of so many things for so long. Maybe Grandma Wanda had been right, and college simply hadn’t been the time for Trent and Kate to be a forever couple. “My grandmother said that maybe our hearts needed a little more time to mature. Like a plant in the greenhouse.” Kate laughed. “Then again, she compares everything in life to plants.”
“I know I needed more time to mature and figure out what’s important. Like my family, and you.” He cupped her jaw with his hands, so gentle, so easy, she thought she might melt right there. “I loved you then, Kate, and I love you now.”
Her heart soared, and every cloud that had loomed in her thoughts over the last few weeks disappeared. “Because of you, I took risks, Trent. Did things I never imagined I’d do. Like…fall in love again. Oh, Trent, I love you too.”
A smile burst across his face, lighting his eyes. He leaned in and kissed her, a slow, sweet kiss that was like a melody, skating across her lips, treasuring every moment. She curved into his chest, into the softness of the jacket and the strength that had always been Trent. She didn’t say anything, because there were no words that could possibly be as sweet as that moment.
Epilogue
The party was in full swing, with dozens of guests filling the newly redesigned space behind Trent’s house. In the space of a few weeks, the plain grassy lawn had been transformed into an oasis with several seating areas, a cozy firepit, and dozens of flowering plants. The sun was just starting to set, and tiny white lights strung between the trellis and the stone patio blinked on, casting a gauzy light over the festivities.
“It looks beautiful, as do you, KitKat.” Trent’s arm stole around Kate’s waist. She had on a pale yellow dress that offset the green in her eyes and long brunette curls that cascaded down her back. For the millionth time, Trent thought he was a very, very lucky man to have such an incredible woman in his life. “You and my sister came up with a fantastic design.”
“Marla’s so talented. All my grandma and I did was plant.” Kate waved at her grandmother, who was holding up a small pot of primroses and explaining the plant to Trent’s father. “Thanks for including her. She loved being a part of the gardening.”
“Your grandma is awesome.” He’d always loved Kate’s grandmother, and in the last few weeks, he’d spent a lot of time helping her with her garden and having long talks about the future. “She said she’s glad I smartened up.”
Kate laughed. “You did indeed. Oh, look, my parents are here! I didn’t even know they were coming. I’m going to go say hello.”
Trent waved at the older couple, who’d actually been in Seattle for a couple of days. He’d flown them in early, and put them up in a hotel close to Kate’s apartment. The whole surprise had been orchestrated without a hitch. “Before you go,” he said, “can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“On the hike, you said you wore your lucky shirt on purpose. Why?” That dark blue shirt from the cookie shop that she’d worn every time she had a momentous occasion. He was darned glad she’d worn it the day he’d woken up and realized he would be a fool to let her go.
“Well, one because I was half afraid I would break my neck climbing up a mountain, and two…” Her cheeks flushed. “I was hoping you’d fall in love with me again. And you did, so it worked. See? Lucky.”
“I’d say I’m far luckier than that shirt.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Go say hi to your folks. I’ll be over in a minute.”
Kate dashed across the lawn. Her father swept her up into a hug and the three of them started chatting, clearly overjoyed to be together. Across the way, Kate’s grandmother waved to her daughter and son-in-law while she was chatting with Trent’s parents and sister. His family had closed the nursery for a couple of days to come down to Seattle, stay with Trent, and help him put the finishing touches on the yard. He and his father had been outside until late last night, weeding and trimming and talking. The long, quiet moments with his father had been as wonderful as that sunset all those years ago.
Sarah was sitting at one of the tables, her sleepy baby in her lap. She’d been out on maternity leave for the past few weeks, and seeing her now, so happy and in her element as a mom, made Trent glad he’d worked out a work-at-home option for Sarah to stay at GOA and still be home with her new daughter.
Jeremy ambled over. “Those new employees are working out great, boss.”
Trent had hired a couple of managers to fill the gaps, which meant Trent didn’t have to work weekends or miss his daily run with Greg. That part was both good and bad, because Greg always pushed him to run faster, a healthy competition Trent secretly enjoyed. There’d be time now to hike and bike, and take Kate on trips. “I’m glad. Are the employees happy with the new schedules?”
“Yup. That new flex-time plan means everyone gets to get outdoors more often,” Jeremy said. “It’s making for some very motivated and productive employees. The last employee survey didn’t have a single complaint.”
“Great. Profits are up, the IPO is looking good, and my life is finally in order.” Trent glanced around the yard. Huge posters of the book cover were mounted on poles in the corners of the yard, and dozens of copies were stacked on the tables as gifts for everyone he’d invited. The party was meant to be for the book’s unveiling, but Trent had one more thing he wanted to reveal, now that all his employees were here.
“I’ve got to go give a quick speech,” he said to Jeremy. “Go enjoy the party. You work hard, and you deserve more time off.”
Jeremy laughed. “I’m not going to argue with that.”
Trent crossed to the makeshift stage he’d had workers install beside the patio. He flipped on the microphone, and conversation ebbed to a stop. “Thank you everyone for being here. It means so much to me to celebrate the success of Get Outdoors Apparel as well as the fabulous book Kate wrote, with the people who mean the most to me.”
Kate stood on the edge of the patio, beaming at him with so much love in her eyes, it made his heart ache, in a good way. She clapped and whooped. Their families cheered.